Auto body self-adjusting spring dolly



n m 4W w 5 M M 3,, 5 A 4 5 21 mz m m 7 Q r l 4 /H/ I Ha W. r Q ww m m0 w 2 2 f AF, 1 I l 7 x F V I B W I,

F. A. DERGINER ETAL AUTO BODY SELF-ADJUSTING SPRING DOLLY Filed Oct. 29, 1948 Aug. 8, 1950 Patentecl Aug. 8, :1

OLLY

Frank A. Derginer and James E. Engebretsen, Green Bay, Wis

ApplicationOctober 29, iaia-seriamo. 57,252

Our invention relates to tools for repairing the damage to the sheet metal portions of an automobile body. More particularly, our invention relates to a tool for resiliently or otherwise applying a dolly block to one surface of i a damaged sheet metal portion of an automobile body, while the opposite surface of such body portion is hammered or dinged to straighten out dents in the body portion.

In the repair of certainportions of the sheet metal comprising an automobile body, particularly the roof of the vehicle, it is frequently very awkward fora single operator to simultaneously hold a dolly block in position at one side of the roof while applying repairing pressure 'the tool, and wherein said dolly shaft includes a forward end including means for readily detachably connecting the same to a dolly block.

1 A further object is to provide an improved dolly for automobile body repair such as that last described and which includes an elongated, laterally-directed handle pivoted to the base whereby asingle'operator may remotely control the positions of thedolly. i

A further object is to provide in an improved dolly for automobile body repair such as that last describedresilient means carried by the base,

and loading the dolly shaft and dolly block fo projecting movement toward the work.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the device, the structure of the elements forming the device,combination and arrangement of such elements, all of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawing in connection with the" following specification,

wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed. I In the drawing? i Figure 1 is an elevational view ofthe dolly accordingto the invention, parts being broken away; I. if

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but on a "slightly enlarged scaleand including. parts shown I 6 Claims. (01. ma -32 I Figure 11 is a view like ment relative thereto. trated in FigureJlOandrFlgures 11, 12 audit! il a 1 2 in longitudinal section as well as parts broken away; i i i Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantiallyon the plane of the line 3--3 of Figurez; i i a Figure 4 is a similarview taken substantially on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 isa similar view taken substantially on the plane of the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a similar view taken substantially on the plane of the line B-6 of Figure2; I

Figure '7 is a similar view taken substantially on the plane of the line 1 of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a similar view taken substantially on the plane of the line 8-8 of Figure 2;

i Figure 9 is a perspective view of the handle-for positioning the dolly of the invention apart from the rest of the structure, parts being broken away; Figure 10 is a plan view' of a form of dolly block for use with the device according to the invention; Figure 10 of a different form of dolly block;

Figure 12 is an elevational view of a further form of dolly block;

like reference characters have been used throughout the several views todesignate like parts, I4 designates a tubular base of any desired length which is open at the upper end l4 thereof and loosely and slidably receives therein a dolly shaft IS. The dollyshaft 15 includes a radially-directed annular flange IS on its lower end which has a relatively close sliding fit in the base 14. A dolly shaft collar I1 is loosely disposed about the lower end of the dolly shaft I5 and rests atop the flange H5. The purpose of the collar I1 is to steady the lower, end of the shaft l5 as the same slides or rotates in the base I4. The base [4 adjacent the upper end It thereof is provided with a radially inwardly-directed set screw I8 which is adapted to engage the collar It! and/or the flange [6 to prevent accidental withdrawal of the dolly shaft 15 from the base l4. At the same time, by retracting the set screw [8, the dolly shaft may be withdrawn from the base.

The upper end of the dolly shaft I5 is provided with a ball head 19 which is freely seatable in a ball socket 2B of any suitable or well known form of dolly block 21. Thus, the dolly block 2| is mountedon the ball head l9 for universal move- The dolly block 12 l is illusner end of a handle 33..

lustrate modified forms of dolly blocks interchangeably usable with the dolly shaft I5. Thus, the dolly block 22 is essentially similar to the dolly block 2|, except that the same is formed with a plurality of perforations 23 extending therethrough and covering substantially the entire surface area of the block. Likewise, the dolly block 24 of Figures 12 and 13 is illustrative of various shapes which blocks according to the invention may assume. It is, of course, understood that all of the dolly blocks 2|, 22 and 24 are provided with ball sockets 2|) on their rear surfaces for universal engagement with the ball head IQ of the dolly shaft l5.

As best seen in Figure 4, a radially-directed boss 25 is fixedly secured to the base I4 adjacent the upper end l4 thereof. Such boss 25 may comprise a nut welded to the outer periphery of the base l4. Likewise, it is essential that the bore of the nut 25 coincide with a radially-directed bore formed through the wall of the base M. Any suitable set screw 21 may be projected radially inwardlythrough the boss 25 and bore 26 for engagement with the-dolly shaft l whereby to lock the same in a selected projected position relative tothe base M. If desired, the set screw 2.! may be provided with a.relatively large handle 28 to facilitate the manipulation of the screw.

An intermediate portion of the base I4 is provided with any suitable means such as the rivet 29 which provides a rear stop or base or seat for the rear end of anexpansive coil spring 3|). The upper end of the spring .30. bears against the inner end of the dolly shaft l5 whereby the dolly shaft is loaded for projection forwardly and axially of the base l4. Thus, with the base l4 seated against a suitable support, such as the floor of a motor vehicle, the spring 3'll'is effective to project the dollyblock 2| against the under surface of the roof of the vehicle, while the outer surface of the roof is beingdinged or otherwise subjected to repair pressure. As long as the location of the dent in the roofis adjacent one side or end of the vehicle, the base l4 may be readily retained in position by the operator without discomfort. However, as frequently occurs, the base l4 must be positioned beyond the normal reach. of the operator,v whereby means now to be described have beenprovided for his convenience. Thus, a pair of vertically-disposed, laterally-spaced ears 3| are fixed to the base. Id at any desirablelocation. The ears 3| are provided with .aligned apertures whereby to permit spanning ofthe ears by any suitablepivot 32 whichvpivctally mounts the in- The handle 33 is relatively elongated and the other :end' thereof is provided with any suitable hand grip 3.4. The hand .grip 34 may be in the form of an elongated loop as shown. It is apparent from the foregoing that theprovision of the-handle permits the dolly to be screw 2.! may be utilized to lock the dolly shaft I5 in aselected projected position relative-to the base i l.

However, such locking of the dollyshaft obviously prevents the spring 30 from functioning to provide a resilient backing for the under surface of the portion of the car body being repaired. 7 As such: a resilient backingis highly de-- sirable in body repairs of this character, means now to be described have been provided. Thus, the lower end of the base I4 may be outwardly directed to provide an annular flange 35 which slidably and rotatably supports an inverted cupshaped cap 36. The cap 36 is provided with an interiorly-threaded cylindrical flange 31 which threadedly engages theupper end of a housing 38. The housing 38 is tubular and concentrically disposed relative to the base l4 and is slidable and rotatable on the flange 35 of the base. Thus, the housing 38 is telescopically extensible and retractable relative to the rear end of the base I. Likewise, as clearly shown in Figure 2, the housing 38 is substantially over size, whereby to provide room for an expansive coil spring 39 concentrically disposed inwardly of the housing. The housing 38 is closed at the rear by a floor 40 which provides a lower seat for the spring 39. Likewise, the floor 40 has fixedly secured thereto a centeringrod 4|, the upper end of which is slidable in the base M to provide a guide. The lower end of the centering rod 4| is preferably pointed, as at 42, whereby to provide a firm base for the dolly. Thus, with the set screw 21 engaged with the dolly shaft l5 to lock the same against relative sliding movement in the base [4, the resiliency of the spring 39 provides a resilient base for the dolly shaft I5 and base l4 while repairs are being effected on the automobile body. At the same time, by loosening the set screw 21, the dolly shaft l5 and dolly block 2| may be adjusted readily for initially positioning the dolly relative to the body portion to be repaired. Thereafter, the set screw 21 may beengaged and operations commenced.

While we have shown and described what are now thought to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, we do not limit ourselves to the precise structures'shown and described hereinabove except as hereinafterclaimed.

We claim:

1. A dolly for automobile body repair, comprising an elongated base, a dolly shaft. telescopically slidable in said base longitudinally thereof, spring means in said base and operatively engaging said dolly shaft to project the latter longitudinally outwardly of said base, said dolly shaft including a head, means for readily detachably connecting a dolly block to said head, a centering rod slidable in said base in axial alignment with said dolly shaft, said centering rod projecting from said base in a direction opposite to said dolly shaft, and spring means in said base loading said centering rod for sliding projecting movement relative to said base.

2.. A dolly for automobile body repair, comprising an elongated base, a dolly shaft telescopically slidable in said base longitudinally thereof, Spring means in said base and operatively engaging said dolly shaft to project the latter longitudinally outwardly of said base, said dolly shaft including a head, means for readily detachably connecting a dolly block to said head, a centering rod. slidable in said base in axial alignment with saidv dolly shaft, said centering rod projecting from said base in a direction opposite to said dolly shaft, and spring means in said base loading said centering rod for sliding projecting movement relative to said base," and means for releasably locking said dolly shaft in a selected projected position.

3. .A dolly for automobile bodyrepair, con

prising an elongated tubular base having front and rear ends, a dolly shaft telescopically slidable in said base axially thereof, an expansive coil spring in said base, said dolly shaft including an inner end bearing on said spring whereby said. spring loads said dolly shaft for projection axially outwardly of said front end of said base, said dolly shaft including a front end formed with a ball head, a dolly block including a rearwardly-directed ball socket freely receiving said ball head therein to mount said dolly block on said shaft for universal movement relative thereto, a tubular centering rod housing concentrically disposed about said rear end of said base, a con-- tering rod fixed in said housing axially thereof and slidably guided in said rear end of said base, said centering rod including a pointed end projecting axially rearwardly of said housing, an expansive coil spring in said housing bearing on said rear end of said base, and said last-named spring loading said housing and centering rod for rearward axial movement relative to said base.

l. A dolly for automobile body repair, comprising an elongated tubular base having front and rear ends, a dolly shaft telescopically slidable in said base axially thereof, an expansive coil spring in said base, said dolly shaft including an inner end bearing on said spring whereby said spring loads said dolly shaft for projection axially outwardly of said front end of said base, said dolly shaft including a front end formed with a ball head, a dolly bloclr including a rearwardlyected ball socket freely receiving said ball head therein to mount said dolly block on said shaft for universal movement relative thereto, a tubular centering rod housing concentrically disposed about said rear end of said base, a centering rod fixed in said housing axially thereof and slidably guided in said rear end of said base, said centering rod including a pointed end projecting axially rearwardly of said housing, an expansive coil spring in said housing bearing on said rear end of said base, said last-named spring loading said housing and centering rod for rearward axial movement relative to said base, and means for releasably locking said dolly shaft in a selected projected position.

5. A dolly for automobile body repair, comprising an elongated tubular base having front and rear ends, a dolly shaft telescopically slidable in said base axially thereof, an expansive coil spring in said base, said dolly shaft including an inner end bearing on said spring whereby said spring loads said dolly shaft for projection axially outwardly of said front end of said base, said dolly shaft including a front end. formed with a ball head, a dolly block including a rearwardly-directed ball socket freely receiving said ball head therein to mount said dolly block on said shaft for universal movement relative thereto, a tubular centering rod housing concentrically disposed about said rear end of said base, a centering rod fixed in said housing axially thereof and slidably guided in said rear end of said base, said centering rod including a pointed end projecting axially rearwardly of said housing, an expansive coil spring in said housing bearing on said rear end of said base, said last-named spring loading said housing and centering rod for rearward axial movement relative to said base, and an elongated handle pivoted to said base and extending laterally thereof.

6. A dolly for automobile body repair comprising an elongated base, a dolly member telescopically engaging said base for slidable movement longitudinally thereof, spring means engaging said base and said dolly member biasing said member longitudinally outwardly of said base, a dolly block connected to said member, a centering member slidably engaging said base in axial alignment with said dolly member, said centering member projecting from said base in a direction opposite to said dolly member, and spring means engaging said centering member and said base for biasing said centering member away from said base.

FRANK A. DERGINER. JAMES E. ENGEBRETSEN.

REFERENQES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS t Number Name Date 1,850,073 Countryman Mar. 22, 1932 1,973,056 Fleming et a1 Sept. 11, 1934 2,071,281 George Feb. 16, 1937 2,148,619 Hauschild Feb. 28, 1939 2,263,423 Kattrein Nov. 18, 1941 

